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Summer in Tallinn
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here is a reason the streets of Tallinn are packed with tourists…it’s summer! Winter has its own charm, but summertime in Estonia is truly magical. Midsummer is one of the most important holidays in Estonia, perhaps even more important than Christmas for some. It’s celebrated on the evening of June 23. City-dwelling Estonians escape to their summer homes to celebrate with family and friends. Enormous bonfires are lit, saunas are had, and beer is drunk. One of the most interesting customs associated with Midsummer or Jaanipäev in Estonia is swinging. Large platform swings made out of wood can be found close to bonfire sites in the countryside. You stand up on the swing and push back and forth to gather more speed and height. The goal is to do a full 360 degree turn around the bar. It's no surprise that beer drinking has been associated with Midsummer for centuries. In 1640, there is mention in church records that locals were
found to have consumed 20 barrels of beer on Midsummer’s Eve, and were handed fines for public intoxication. That's not to say you can't enjoy a few beers fireside, but be careful. Midsummer's Eve also coincides with Victory Day, which marks the defeat of the German Landeswehr on June 23, 1919. This was the biggest and most significant victory for Estonia during the Estonian War of Independence (1918-1920). Victory Day celebrations start with a festive military parade. The President lights a torch and fires are then lit all over the country as a symbol of independence and freedom. For a traditional celebration of Midsummer, head to the Open Air Museum on June 23. Whatever you do, don’t stay in the city. Most shops and restaurants are closed on June 24, and citizens have left for holidays. And lucky for you our special summer travel guide will help you do just that. Enjoy travel outside of Tallinn, and experience Estonia as the locals do. Happy travels!
ABOUT ESTONIA Area: 45,227 km2. Population: about 1,350,000. Capital: Tallinn, population about 400,000. Independence: 24 February, 1918, Re-independence: 20 August, 1991. Weather: Average temperature July 16°C, February -9°C. Time zone: GMT +2 Language: Official language Estonian. Russian is the mother tongue of more than 300,000 inhabitants. Religion: Approximately 20 % of Estonians are nonreligious, 30 % Lutheran, 28 % Orthodox and 3 % Catholic. Currency: Euro. Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard, Diner’s Club and American Express are widely accepted. Electricity: 220 V / 50 Hz, European (Type C) plug.
3 editorial 4-5 transport 6 june events 8 shopping 19 top 10 10-11 restaurants 12 nature 13-22 special summer travel guide 23 museum 24-25 nightlife 27-30 maps and information
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Kristina Lupp Editor-in-chief
restaurants Dining in Kalamaja Tallinn's best patios and terraces
7 reasons to visit Estonia's wilderness 01 Regardless of its size, Estonia’s nature is varied. Distances are short and the landscape changes quickly between them. Interesting natural settings can be found in every county –flat grasslands, hills, sandstone cliffs, and dense forests are around every turn.
02 Estonia is peaceful and quiet outside of its cities. Untouched landscapes like the beaches on the tiny islands of Kihnu, Vormsi, and Prangli are ideal places for a hike.
04 The limestone precipices on the island of Saaremaa and northern Estonia offer spectacular sights. The large waterfalls on the northern coast are impressive as well. 05 Gorgeous sandstone caves can be found throughout the country. The most impressive can be found in southern Estonia in Piusa, where one of northern Europe’s largest bat colonies can be found. 06 A unique world of plants: 1500 plant species, including orchids that can be found mostly on the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. There are a total of 36 orchid species that grow in Estonia. 07 Hiking in Estonia is safe and easy. The Estonian State Forest Management Centre (RMK) looks after nature reserves and hiking trails. Everyone can use campfire sites, camping areas and huts, free of charge. Pick up your free copy at:
JUNE 2013
Managing Director: Kirli Lembinen Editor-in-Chief: Kristina Lupp kristina@balticguide.ee Design: Kristi Möls Photography: Andrei Chertkov
PORTS B-Terminal, D-Terminal HOTELS Barons Hotel, Bern Hotel, Braavo Hotel, City Portus Hotel, My City Hotel, Domina Ilmarine Hotel, Ecoland Hotel, Economi Hotel, Euroopa Hotel, Go Hotel Schnelli, Imperial Hotel, Kalev Spa Hotel, Kreutzwald Hotel Tallinn, L'Ermitage Hotel, Meriton Grand Conference & Spa Hotel, Metropol Hotel, Nordic Forum Hotel, Old House Hostel, Old Town Maestro Hotel, Oru Hotel, Palace Hotel, Park Inn Central Tallinn, Radisson Blu Hotel Tallinn, Radisson Blu Hotel Olümpia, Reval Park Hotel Tallinn, Savoy Hotel, Scandic St. Barbara Hotel, Sokos Hotel Viru, St. Olav Hotel, Susi Hotel, Swissotel, Tähetorni Hotel, Tallink Express Hotel, Tatari 53 Hotel, Telegraaf Hotel, Ülemiste Hotel, Vana Wiru Hotel, Viimsi Spa Hotel, Von Stackelberg Hotel Tallinn OTHER TV Tower, Hansabuss Business Line, Swedish Embassy, Sadama Market, Stockmann Info, Tallinn Airport, Tallinn Tourist Information, Citytour Buses, Hansabuss Airport, Merekeskus Lootsi keskus, Puumedi Group OÜ RESTAURANTS Pirita Yacht Club, Arizona, Beerhouse, Clazz, Molly Malones, O
'Malleys, Odessa Restaurant, Seven Seas Restaurant, Troika Restaurant, Turg Restaurant, Waynes Coffee PÄRNU Astra Hotel, Legend Hotel, Pärnu Visitor's Centre, Strand Hotel, Sanatorium Tervis, Tervise Paradiis, TRK Viiking, Koidulapark Hotel, Pärnu Airport TARTU Dorpat Hotel, London Hotel, Pallas Hotel, Tartu Visitor's Centre, Tartu Airport, Turu Linna City Information Point WESTERN ESTONIA Pärnu Yacht Club, Arensburg Boutique Hotel, Fra Mare Thalasso Spa, Haapsalu Tourist Information, Hiiumaa Tourist Information, Johan Spa Hotel, Kuressaare Airport, Kuressaare Tourist Information, Promenaadi Hotel Haapsalu, Meri Spa Hotel, Rüütli Spa Hotel EASTERN ESTONIA Jõhvi Tourist Information, Meresuu Spa, Narva Tourist Information, Rakvere Tourist Information, Saka Cliff Hotel & Spa, Toila Sanatorium, Vihula Manor, Villa Theresa, Sagadi Manor SWEDEN EAS Stockholm, Estonian House Göteborg, Estonian Air Stockholm,Tallink Mariehamn, Tallink Stockholm RIGA Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel, Friendly Fun Franks Backpackers Hostel, The Blue Cow Backpackers Hostel, The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel
24-25 night life Nightclub Teater Rocksummer Summer concerts
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Contact Information Põhja pst 25, 10415 Tallinn, tel +372 611 77 60 e-mail: balticguide@balticguide.ee Marketing Manager: Helen Kaur tel +372 58 502 477
Photo: EM Concert
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03 Estonia is home to many rare species of birds, like the Black Stork, the Pied Avocet, the Lesser Spotted Eagle, and different species of Chickadee. Matsalu and Haapsalu are a birdwatcher’s paradise, along with Tartu’s surrounding areas, and Sõrve on the island of Saaremaa. The astounding migration of hundreds of thousands of waterfowl can be witnessed in spring and in autumn.